Paxton fought the urge to cover his mouth and nose as they passed places with the dead on display. The smells were as sickening as Rozaria’s beastly experimentation rooms. He tried not to look at the despicable exhibits. He faced forward and kept his expression blank.
He racked his brain as they rode, trying to figure out a way he could warn the people of Lochlanach that they were coming. Along with their ground forces of military ranging in the thousands, there were at least a hundred Lashed who’d been amassed by Rozaria through her camps, three detestable monsters, and a fleet of naval vessels set to attack. Half the army remained to protect Kalor in case fighting filtered back over, and to keep their own lands protected while the prince was away.
“Hunter.”
Paxton turned his head toward the sound of Rozaria’s voice coming from the prince’s coach. She was leaning out of the open doorway as it moved. It was a gaudy thing, draped in bright silks and trimmed with gold. Paxton lifted his chin in response. She waved him back. He turned his horse and rode next to her.
“The prince wishes to speak with you,” she said. In her eyes was something like pride, but Paxton felt only apprehension.He dropped from his horse and passed the reins to a nearby soldier, then grasped the gold handles of the carriage and pulled himself into the dim interior. He was immediately hit by the strongest burst of magical aura he’d ever felt. His skin tingled as if he stood too close to a fire. It smelled strongly of burned incense, powdery and flowery. Paxton took a seat on a cushion and pushed his unruly hair behind his ears before looking up at the smooth face of Prince Vito.
He hadn’t been allowed this close to the man before now. He couldn’t be much older than Paxton. He was of slight build, but heavy robes with padding made him appear larger. His hair was perfectly straight as if it’d just been brushed, and his entire face appeared sharp with the way his brows, nose, cheekbones, and chin jutted out. The prince stared unsmiling and Paxton dropped his eyes, waiting silently.
And then he saw the prince’s hands.By the depths . . . his nails are entirely purpled.Not a slice of white could be seen. Perhaps it should not have surprised Paxton that the prince was Lashed, and yet it did. A Lashed monarch was unheard of. This was a well-kept secret that would not go over well with the rest of Eurona.
“Prince Vito,” Rozaria said huskily, “I give you the hunter Paxton Seabolt.”
All was silent. Paxton could feel himself being studied and wondered if he should say something, but he decided against it.
When Prince Vito finally spoke, his Euronan was heavilyaccented. “You may look upon me.” Paxton raised his eyes. “Roza tells me you have met Princess Aerity Lochson.”
Trepidation ripped jaggedly through Paxton like a vile, burning poison, and he was glad to be sitting. He hoped his panic didn’t show on his face or in his voice.
“Aye. Yes, Your Majesty. I have met her.”
“Tell me about her. I only knew her as a child. Roza says she is beautiful.”
Rozaria waved a hand and rolled her eyes. “I said no such thing. I merely gave you an account of her appearance.”
“Is she beautiful?” the prince asked him.
Paxton had never wanted to put an arrow through someone’s head at close range until that moment. Why in the deep, dark seas was he asking this? Paxton wanted to say that Aerity was hideous, anything to keep him away from her.
“I suppose beauty is subjective,” Paxton said. “Some might call her beautiful.”
Prince Vito laughed, a high, creeping sound like a strangling vine. “Ah, a politician.”
“Nay, Your Majesty. A simple man who prefers a lower-maintenance, more natural beauty from his women.”
Rozaria sent him a seductive grin, as if pleased by his suggested slight against a royal Lochson.
“I can handle a demanding woman if she is beautiful,” Prince Vito said.
Paxton could choke him with his bare hands. The satisfaction of it would last a lifetime. But it would mean he’d haveto get within reach of the prince’s hands, which were quite possibly the most deadly weapon there was. He didn’t move.
“How well do you know her?” the prince asked. Paxton hated the laziness of the man’s voice.
“We spoke a few times, always surrounded by guards, so nothing in depth. I have seen her interact with Lashed, always surprisingly openly and without fear. I was there with her the night she and Rozaria . . . met. And the beast was killed.”
“So you would say that the princess trusts you, yes?”
Paxton’s pulse was wild in his throat. “Yes. I would believe so.”
“That is good.” The prince stared at him with uncomfortable intensity. “We will use you to get into the castle.”
Paxton nodded, his pulse out of control.
Rozaria shifted and spoke. “We do not foresee a problem taking over royal lands, but the castle will be heavily secured. If we send you in first, and have you on the inside to let us in . . .” She spread her hands as if enough had been said. Again, Paxton nodded. This was perfect. It would get him inside to warn the others and possibly get them to safety.
“Of course. I will help in any way I can.”
